Stokke



Filed June 4, 1962 INVENTOR. K1 1? .5 ta/(1:

United States Patent 3,127,219 SPRING MtlUNTED ROCKING CHAIR Kare Stoldre, Spjelkavik, Alesund, Norway Filed June 4, 1962, Ser. No. 199,815 filaiuns priority, application Norway June 6, 1961 4 Claims. (Cl. 297264) This invention relates to chairs, and more specially to the type of chairs in which the seat and the back are fastened to the frame or the supporting structure by means of spring connecting means to make a kind of rocking chair. Such chairs preferably have stop members at the back, in order to block the rocking motion, and preferably in different angle positions.

The invention concerns chairs of the above type in which the spring means are flat springs cooperating with suitable curved base or track members.

In such chairs the springs as well as the tracks are subjected to severe strain with a damaging result to the said members. In the springs the damage shows as material fatigue imparting an objectionable characteristic to the rocking motion, and the seat will not return to correct initial position when unoccupied. In the track members the strain is liable to loosen their fastening means.

The object of the invention is to remove the above disadvantages. This is achieved by securing the front end of the track members to abut against the inner side of the front piece of the chair frame, and by fastening the springs to the front part of the track members and the front piece of the frame, the springs extend over the front frame piece.

A further object of the invention is to impart a certain initial tension to the springs thus giving them an upwards concave curve when in unloaded position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a unit consisting of springs fastened to the track members the rear ends of which are united by means of a cross piece, or the track members and the cross piece may be made in one piece.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing which shows an example of a chair according to the invention.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective and exploded view of a chair according to the invention with the main parts of the chair shown separated.

FIGURE 2 is a detail side view partly in section of a detail of the chair structure.

The chair, as illustrated, consists of a seat member 1 rigidly connected to the chair back 2 and a frame 3. The supporting structure consists of legs 4 connected to a frame 5, 6.

The connection between the seat 1 and the supporting structure is accomplished by means of the rocking mechanism, which in the drawing is shown separately positioned between the seat and the supporting structure. This mechanism comprises base or track members 7 with a curved top surface 14 against which the springs may be rocked.

In the example illustrated the track members 7 are made in one single piece with a connection member 8, the track members and springs thus constituting an assembled unit, which has often proved satisfactory for the production and assembling of such chairs.

The front end 13 of the track members 7 are cut at a right angle, to abut against the inner side of the front piece 5 of the frame. The flat springs 16 are fastened to the track members 7 by means of through bolts 11, and are fastened to the seat frame 3 by means of screws through the holes 16.

The front end of the springs 10, which constitute the rockers, are fastened to the track members 7 in such a way that a section 15 extends past the end 13. This extension 15 is fastened directly to frame piece 5. In the example illustrated this connection is by means of screws 12 through holes 12 into the frame piece 5. The exte nsions 15 may be bent to cut into the frame piece 5, or surround the piece more or less. Suitable screws means may be provided. The track members 7 are connected to the frame side pieces 6 by sturdy bolts through holes 9, 9.

It is apparent that by the design illustrated and described a very sturdy connection is obtained between the rocking mechanism and the supporting structure, so that the disadvantages related to chairs of this type are eliminated.

As the drawing will show the springs 10 are given a certain initial tension, as to curve upwards at the rear end when unloaded. Tests have proved that an initial tension with a curve radius r=60 cm. cm. is especially advantageous. For the curved surface of the track members 7 a curve radius of 50 cm. 60 cm. may be suitable.

The invention is not limited to the example illustrated, but may be varied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A spring rocking chair of the type wherein the seat and the back rest are connected to the supporting structure by means of a spring connection, said chair comprising a frame supported on legs, curved track members secured to the frame, a flat spring comprising a rocker for each track member secured at one end to the seat and back and the other end secured on the track member at the front end, the track members abutting closely against the inner side of a front member of the frame, the flat spring being fastened to the front part of the track member and being provided with an extension shaped for connection to said frame.

2. A spring rocking chair according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring is given an initial tension with a curve radius between 60 cm. and 80 cm.

3. A spring rocking chair according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring is given an initial tension with a curve radius between 60 cm. and 80 cm. and the curve radius of the surface of the track members is 50 cm. 60 cm.

4. A spring rocking chair according to claim 1, in which a cross member is provided connected to the legs and the curved track members and the spring rockers are assembled as a unit with the cross member being provided at the rear ends of the track members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. A SPRING ROCKING CHAIR OF THE TYPE WHEREIN THE SEAT AND THE BACK REST ARE CONNECTED TO THE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE BY MEANS OF A SPRING CONNECTION, SAID CHAIR COMPRISING A FRAME SUPPORTED ON LEGS, CURVED TRACK MEMBERS SECURED TO THE FRAME, A FLAT SPRING COMPRISING A ROCKER FOR EACH TRACK MEMBER SECURED AT ONE END TO THE SEAT AND BACK AND THE OTHER END SECURED ON THE TRACK MEMBER AT THE FRONT END, THE TRACK MEMBERS ABUTTING CLOSELY AGAINST THE INNER SIDE OF A FRONT MEMBER OF THE FRAME, THE FLAT SPRING BEING FASTENED TO THE FRONT PART OF THE TRACK MEMBER AND BEING PROVIDED WITH AN EXTENSION SHAPED FOR CONNECTION TO SAID FRAME. 